FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT GREATER CROFTON - PAGE 5

The Farmers' Almanac says one more winter storm to go.So far this year, the folksy publication has been pretty accurate, but for the sake of our sanity, I hope it's dead wrong this one last time.After all, spring is only 13 days away. And the kids really need to get out and prepare for spring sports with lacrosse due to start any day now.*The Greater Crofton Council will meet from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight at the Crofton library.The group will discuss area school issues, the State Highway Administration's studies of Routes 3, 301 and 424, plus an update on local planning.

YWCA fund-raiser to benefit programs against violence Greenberg Commercial is the lead corporate sponsor for the YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County's fund-raiser "Island Magic." The sixth annual event is set for 7 p.m. to midnight Nov. 5 at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club in Stevensville. The YWCA's Men Against Domestic Violence Committee will be the event's host, with proceeds supporting domestic violence programs. Honorary chairman Brian Gibbons, president and CEO of Greenberg Commercial, announced a $15,000 YWCA contribution at a recent groundbreaking ceremony for its Annapolis Towne Center project in Parole, which is scheduled to open in 2007.

By Nancy Gallant and Nancy Gallant,SPECIAL TO THE SUN | November 24, 1998

A NUMBER OF residents were honored for their service to the community at the 1998 Crofton Awards Banquet, held at the Crofton Country Club Friday.The Greater Crofton Chamber of Commerce honored Robert Johnson as Business Person of the Year. Johnson is a real estate agent who has been involved in efforts to improve our area, from transportation planning to education.This year's awards were a family affair. Johnson's wife, Cindy, was honored as Citizen of the Year by the Greater Crofton Council.

...dTC The Greater Odenton Improvement Association will hold its annual cleanup day starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Odenton Shopping Center.Volunteers are needed for three hours of work.Participants should wear work gloves and work clothes.Two dogs attack Crownsville womanTwo dogs bit a Crownsville woman several times on the arm Sunday morning as she tried to stop them from attacking her dog in the 1100 block of Oakview Drive, county police said.Margaret Bryant, 39, who lives on the block, was walking her collie about 7 a.m. when a year-old German shepherd and a mixed-breed beagle puppy attacked her dog. Ms. Bryant tried to protect the collie by covering it with her body.

Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel is recruiting volunteers 16 and older to help staff the Visitor Contact Station.A training session and orientation for visitor aides will be given from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.The position involves greeting the public and explaining recreational and educational activities at the refuge. A schedule of two four-hour shifts a month is preferred.Information: 674-3304.Nature programs: Patuxent Research Refuge, North Tract, will offer these programs: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, "Owl Prowl," a guided walk; and 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, a search for signs of spring.